Hi friends,
Recently a community member asked me this question:
I recently had a conversation with someone and they challenged me by asking, Who has killed more people: God or Satan? I would like to know your views.
I wanted to respond to the question here so we could discuss it together.
Here’s my response:
First, sometimes these questions are more about ‘arguing’ than seeking the truth. I find it helpful to sometimes ask someone, “Are you just trying to argue with me or do you want to know the truth?”
It’s more important that we help our friends want the truth than that we give them answers if they just want to argue. That’s the key issue here.
Let’s assume they sincerely want truth - and are even opening to knowing God.
Then we need to give them a thoughtful, Biblical response. This requires, first, that we distinguish between different categories:
- God’s sovereignty
- God’s justice
- Satan’s limited and evil role
What does this mean?
If by “kill” we mean the unjust or evil ending of life, Satan is responsible for introducing sin and death into the world (Genesis 3:1–6). He is described as a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44). Every death stemming from sin ultimately points back to his influence.
In English, we usually refer to this as “murder.”
But God’s sovereignty and justice are entirely different.
First, God - as the Creator - has the right and authority to give life and end life.
God is the Creator and sustainer of all life (Acts 17:25). He alone determines the span of each person’s life (Job 14:5). Human death exists because of sin (Romans 6:23), yet God’s actions in allowing or causing death are always consistent with His nature—just, good, and purposeful (Romans 8:28).
Second, God - as the Holy Judge - has the right to evaluate our lives and hold us accountable for our sins.
When we read about the Flood or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, these are not malicious or evil actions. Rather, they are holy judgments that provided accountability for evil, and limited its reach.
But here’s the biggest difference:
Satan introduced death into the world through deception and rebellion. He has never, can never, and will never act with sacrificial love. He is the definition of selfishness, chaos, sin, and evil.
By contrast, God is not only holy - but love. Death is not the end for those who trust in Him, as He has provided the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
The deeper issue is not “Who has killed more?” but “What has been done about death?”
Satan wanted sin and death. The Scriptures call it our final enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), but also that God defeated death through the death of Jesus.
Jesus’ death and resurrection secured victory over death and sin, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 11:25–26).
Through this shocking display of love, God will one day create a world of perfect goodness, free from death and suffering (Revelation 21:4).
So if we are looking for who to blame for a world of evil and death, we can blame Satan. Perhaps, we even need to search our own hearts, and repent. Only Jesus can deliver us from our role in this wicked system, and teach us to live holy, good, and loving lives.
You might ask your friend, “What do you think should be done about death and evil? If you were in charge, what would you do? Would you give up your life to save others from their misery?”
It’s hard to judge God when he has given his very life to save us.
You can ask them: Do they believe death should be defeated?
It’s an outlandish idea. Who can escape death?
That is why the Christian hope is so powerful. It is not based on sentimental feelings but the actual, historically verified, bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Have this confidence in yourself. God is the Creator and the Judge. Though Satan has wrecked havoc, he is less than a footnote in the scope of eternity. Your friend may or may not be asking in good faith, but you can rely on the Holy Spirit as you invite them to search for the truth.